Toyota Kirloskar India (TKI) is expected to launch the diesel variant of Toyota Etios Sedan in September 2011. Toyota Etios Sedan has already fetched rave reviews and enthusiastic response from the customers in India. Presently, the Indian automotive market is facing a hike in the demand of diesel variants of the premium cars. Hence, more and more carmakers have taken this under their keen consideration and are taking proactive steps to increase their shares in this segment of the automotive market. For instance, Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Chevrolet Beat have launched their diesel variants, keeping pace with the changing demand of the market.
Undoubtedly, Toyoto Etios Diesel Sedan will help the Etios sedan to assure its place as a leading contender in the Indian C-Segment Sedan space. The car is expected to give tough competition to Mahindra Verito (also known as the Logan), Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta Classic and Tata Indio Manza. Moreover, Etios Diesel Sedan has the calibre to ride on brand Toyota and compete with the popular Maruti Swift Dzire, which is presently the market leader in this segment.
As Toyota has successfully gained the trust of Indian car buyers, it is thus hoping that Etios Diesel Sedan will come forward as the sales leader. The diesel version of the Etios Sedan is expected be priced at least Rs. 70,000 to INR 1 lacs more than the equivalent petrol variant. The Toyota Etios Sedan's Diesel variant is reported to be equipped with the 104 Litre, D-4D CRDI engine, in fixed geometry turbo (FGT) guise. Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel also features the same engine, albeit with a variable geometry turbo (VGT) to boost power and torque.
The diesel engine of the Etios Sedan is supposed to render about 70 to 80 bhp of peak power and 180 to 190 Nm of peak torque, in FGT guise. It is still not clear whether the company will retain the six speed manual transmission like Corolla Altis Diesel in the Etios Diesel Sedan or endorse the five speed manual that the Etios Sedan sports in the petrol engine variant.
Both Etios Sedan and Etios Liva are expected to step ahead with the launch of the diesel variants. They could fetch the attention of the Indian customers not only in terms of look and appeal, but also in the form of major sales number. Ford Figo, Maruti Suzuki Ritz and Tata Indica Vista have witnessed increase in the number of sales of their diesel variants in comparison of the petrol variants.
Moreover, this fiscal is proving to be positive for Toyota as it enjoyed a 99% sales growth rate, by selling 13,592 Toyota Etios in July 2011 as compared to 6834 units in July last year. These figures speak volumes for the Etios and that too for the petrol variant. Moreover, preferences have been shifting rapidly and many are postponing purchases for want of a wider diesel product portfolio. The Etios has received good response in India in its sedan and Liva hatchback avatar and it would not be wrong to expect that the success is repeated with the diesel Toyota Etios.
